I've always wondered why it's assumed when it's children but not adults when it's just as big a deal for an adult. Someones trace amount of snickers handshake can ruin my day.

catgrin
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2014-07-08T21:08:48Z —
#3

Well, this similar to why certain types of asbestos are more dangerous than others. If asbestos is well-encapsulated by paint, and no one plans to mess with it, it's not a problem. The fibers are contained, and are no threat. However, if you plan to expose the fibers and shake them loose into the air --- they'll create a health risk. That's why you should always test the makeup of a popcorn ceiling from the 1970s or earlier if you think you want to scrape it smooth. The test isn't that expensive, and it'll let you decide between remediation and a fresh coat of ceiling white.

Shelled peanuts sitting in a bowl aren't that threatening because of the low risk of transfer. They aren't gooey like peanut butter or dusty like peanut shells.